And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

Transcription

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2 A TRUE NATION PUBLICATION Virgin Birth Exposed And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8: True Nation

3 PREFACE Greetings my brothers and sisters! All praises to the Most High and Jesus Christ. I thank you for your patience while this book was being put together as it was highly anticipated by those seeking truth. I sincerely feel through the spirit of the Most High and Christ that there is enough information contained herein to completely dismantle the virgin birth heresy. I wanted to be sure to compile very thorough information for every aspect of this heavily debated topic. For those who are unaware, the virgin birth doctrine states that Mary, the mother of Christ, was made pregnant without having sexual intercourse with a man. This alleged action caused Jesus Christ to be born and live without sin to be called the Son of God. Ironically, there is no record of this doctrine being taught prior to the 2 nd century AD. I will review the scriptures that the virgin birth believers use to support their thought and give the proper understanding of those verses. This book is not a personal attack, but simply a tool to reveal truth. After careful study, I will emphatically say that THERE IS NO VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES and I will prove that Joseph was the biological father of Jesus Christ. As I proceed to unveil the virgin birth heresy, it is vital that you FIRST understand that THERE WERE NO NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS WRITTEN during the time of Mary, Joseph and Jesus Christ. Only the OLD TESTAMENT scriptures and prophecies could be used to verify and test the validity of Christ being the Son of God. Knowing this will help one to understand the New Testament scriptures much better. It must also be understood that the Bible explains itself. So all answers MUST come from the Bible precept upon precept. Though historical references are used within this book, the bible is the primary source. Isaiah 28:10: For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Christ will come of the Seed/Lineage of King David... 1 II. Christ will come of the Seed/Bloodline of King Solomon... 4 III. The Virgin Misunderstanding... 7 IV. The Woman s Seed V. The Genealogy of Christ VI. The Accounts of Joseph and Mary VII. The Curse of Jeconiah VIII. Christ Had to be Born of a Virgin Because He Did Not Sin IX. No Virgin Birth Proof X. The Only Begotten Son of God XI. Origin of The Virgin Mary Doctrine... 52

5 I. CHRIST WILL COME OF THE SEED/LINEAGE OF KING DAVID It is important to understand that the Bible provides numerous prophecies about Jesus Christ the Messiah appearing on earth and that he would be an Israelite of the family/tribe of Judah descending from the blood lineage and royal throne of King David. Genesis 49:9-10: 9 Judah is a lion s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Hebrews 7:14: For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Jacob gave his sons a prophecy that the Redeemer Jesus Christ would come out of the tribe of Judah and that he would gather the children of Israel back unto himself. The scepter (rulership) will not be taken away from Judah because Christ is prophesied to rule forever. Isaiah 11:1-5 : 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. Page 1

6 Jesse is King David s father and the scriptures say that the Messiah will come forth from him. This means Jesse will be a physical and BIOLOGICAL ancestor to Christ and Christ is a physical and biological descendant of Jesse. Isaiah 11:10: And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. Isaiah 11:10 states that a root would come of Jesse. A root is the foundation and source from which a tree grows. This proves that Christ will biologically DESCEND from the seed (sperm) of Jesse and that his purpose is to return Israel to the Most High. This serves as a sign to Israel that Christ is the Messiah. The next scripture is the prophecy given to King David himself regarding Jesus Christ the Messiah. The scripture clearly states that the eternal king Jesus Christ will come from David s bowels which is his inward parts (his seed). 2 Samuel 7:12-17: 12 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up THY SEED after thee, which shall PROCEED OUT OF THY BOWELS, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: 15 But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. 16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever. 17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David. Many believe this scripture refers to David s son Solomon, but it cannot because all of the kings of Judah s rulership eventually came to an end (I Kings 11:42). Only the kingdom of Jesus Christ the Messiah is prophesied to last forever (Luke 1:33). Isaiah 9:6-8: 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be Page 2

7 called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. Psalm 132:11: The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of THE FRUIT OF THY BODY will I set upon thy throne. Psalm 132:11 says that the Most High has sworn that Christ, the everlasting King, will descend from David s body, through his seed (sperm). This proves that Christ will physically descend from David s flesh and not his spirit. This promise was made by God and he made it clear that HE WILL NOT TURN FROM IT. Accordingly, if anyone teaches that Christ came by any way other than by the seed (SPERM) of King David, it is a LIE. Psalm 89:3-4: 3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, 4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. Psalm 89:34: My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. Again, the scriptures say that the Most High WILL NOT BREAK OR ALTER this covenant or promise. So when we get to the New Testament, the prophecies and method of how Christ will come of the SEED/SPERM of King David CANNOT change. Page 3

8 II. CHRIST WILL COME OF THE SEED/BLOODLINE OF KING SOLOMON In the following scripture, David explains that the kingly and promised lineage will continue through his SON Solomon. 1 Chronicles 28:4-7: 4 Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: 5 And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 6 And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. 7 Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day. Notice that David said God hath given me MANY SONS (1 Chronicles 3:1-9 including Nathan), but it was Solomon who was chosen to continue the kingly line from which Jesus Christ the Messiah would come. Solomon would build the physical house of God and Christ would build the spiritual house of God, which is the Church. Nonetheless, they will all descend from the SEED/sperm of King David as prophesied. Solomon acknowledges this in the following scriptures: 1 Kings 8:19-20: 19 Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; BUT THY SON THAT SHALL COME FORTH OUT OF THY LOINS, he shall build the house unto my name. 20 And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 1Kings 5:5: And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, Page 4

9 saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. 1 Chronicles 22:7-9: 7 And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: 8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. 9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. 1 Chronicles 22:10: He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever. 1 Chronicles 28:6: And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. We see that SOLOMON is the successor of David to sit on the chosen throne that Christ will also inherit. Why do the above prophecies focus so much on the SEED of David? This is why. In Israel, it is a fact that a man s nation (race or ethnicity) or tribe (house or family) is determined by his father s MALE ancestors. Since the MAN carries the seed/sperm, he is then the progenitor and determines the tribe and pedigree of his descendants. Numbers 1:18: And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. Page 5

10 It is not recorded anywhere in the Old Testament scriptures that an Israelite family, nationality or tribe was determined by a mother. Let s look at a peculiar instance in biblical history that proves this and will make a whole lot of sense when we get to the New Testament. Ezra 2:61-62: 61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: 62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood. The prophet Ezra was re-establishing the priesthood of Israel during the time of the Medo-Persian Rule and there were sons of certain priests that could not verify their ancestry. In order to properly verify their lineage, Ezra had to check the register (birth records and ancestry) of the sons of Aaron and the Levites by their genealogies (fathers). If the man claiming to be a Levite or of the sons of Aaron could not verify his bloodline (genealogy), he was EXPELLED from the priesthood because only the biological sons of AARON could be high priest and only biological Levites could hold offices in the priesthood (Exodus 29:44). This is why Christ s birth record (genealogy) is recorded in Matthew Chapter 1. It verifies Christ s direct lineage to David through Solomon giving him the true right to inherit the kingly throne as the scriptures prophesied. In the time of Mary and Joseph, this would have been the first thing any Israelite would have looked for to determine the authenticity of the Messiah. This could not be determined from a VIRGIN BIRTH. I will talk more about this later. The following are some important words and definitions to consider: PROGENITOR pr jen t r, pr - noun a person or thing from which a person, animal, or plant is descended or originates; an ancestor or parent. SEED s noun 1. a flowering plant's unit of reproduction, capable of developing into another such plant. 2. A man s semen Page 6

11 1 Chronicles 9:1: So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. Numbers 1:18: And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. PEDIGREE pe gr noun 1. the record of descent of an animal, showing it to be purebred. 2. informal a purebred animal. 3. the re or e an estr, esp upper- lass an estr, o a person or am l 4. the ba kgroun or h stor o a person or th ng, esp as on err ng st n t on or ual t 5. a genealog al table III. THE VIRGIN MISUNDERSTANDING A scripture that trips up the virgin birth believers is Isaiah 7:14. Let s examine this scripture. Isaiah 7:14: Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Many see the word VIRGIN and assume that the word s only definition is attributed to a woman that has not had sex. But this is not the case. It is important to study the languages and etymology of words from which the English Bible was translated from to get a better understanding of the scripture s original context. The Hebrew word for virgin used in Isaiah 7:14 is Almah and is defined as follows: Page 7

12 Strong s Hebrew Lexicon VIRGIN {almah, al-maw ; feminine of 5958; a lass (as veiled or private): damsel, maid, virgin. Oxford English Dictionary VIRGIN rj n noun 1. A person, typically a woman, who has never had sexual intercourse. 2. A naive, innocent, or inexperienced person, esp. in a particular context: a political virgin. Zondervan Bible Dictionary VIRGIN 1. A young unmarried woman. 2. A young woman of marriageable age, whether married or not. Clearly, several sources define virgin as a woman that has not had sex OR simply a young woman or maiden. As I continue on, you will see for yourself which definition will fall in line with all of the prophecies. Let s examine the Hebrew word virgin as used in Isaiah 7:14 again: Strong s Hebrew Lexicon VIRGIN {almah, al-maw ; feminine of 5958; a lass (as veiled or private): damsel, maid, virgin. Now, let s examine another scripture where the word virgin is used when actually pertaining to a woman that has not had sex with a man. Genesis 24:16: And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. The Hebrew word for virgin used in Genesis 24:16 is: Strong s Hebrew Lexicon VIRGIN bthuwlah, beth-oo-law ; feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state: maid, virgin. Page 8

13 Deuteronomy 22:28: If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Strong s Hebrew Lexicon VIRGIN bthuwlah, beth-oo-law ; feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to separate; a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state: maid, virgin. Notice that when referring to a woman that has never had sex, the Hebrew word used for virgin is bthuwlah. Why didn t the prophet Isaiah use this Hebrew word for the word virgin mentioned in Isaiah 7:14? It is because the word virgin used in that scripture was not referring to a woman that has not had sexual intercourse, but rather simply refers to a young woman. The same is true in Isaiah 7:14 when it states a maiden shall conceive. Since different definitions exist, one cannot assume that the word virgin used in Isaiah 7:14 means a woman that has not had sex. Another stumbling block for virgin birth believers in Isaiah 7:14 is the word sign. They believe that the sign is a woman who has never had sex will conceive a child. However, they neglect to read the rest of the chapter that explains what the SIGN actually is: Isaiah 8:1-4: 1 Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man s pen concerning Mahershalalhashbaz. 2 And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. 3 And I went unto the prophetess (had sex); and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz. 4 For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria. At this time, God is giving the prophet Isaiah understanding of how the Messiah will be a SIGN by using the birth of Isaiah s own son Mahershalalhashbaz. He would also be called Immanuel which means God is with us. The people NEVER called Page 9

14 Christ Immanuel but knew that God was with them by the works that Christ did to save Israel (Acts 5:29-32). This is the same situation that God was teaching Israel during the time of Isaiah. Examine: Isaiah 8:8-18: 8 And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. 9 Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. 10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. 11 For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, 12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. 13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken. 16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. 17 And I will wait upon the LORD, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Now look carefully at verse 18: 18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are FOR SIGNS AND WONDERS IN ISRAEL from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. Clearly, Isaiah said that his wife (prophetess) conceived and that his children were given as SIGNS of redemption for Israel at that time. This is an exact mirror of the fact that Mary would conceive and Christ would be the SIGN of redemption for Israel in HIS time. Isaiah was told to seal the law among his disciples just like Christ Page 10

15 did with the twelve disciples. Was the sign to Israel during the time of Isaiah a virgin birth? NO, NOT AT ALL! IV. THE WOMAN S SEED Virgin birth believers attempt to use Genesis 3:15 to mean that a woman can have a seed/sperm. However, nowhere in the scriptures is it written that a woman had seed without first having a man put the seed/sperm inside of her through sexual intercourse. Genesis 3:15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Does this mean a woman can have a seed on her own or by some supernatural means? No. Let s examine Genesis 3:15 again: Genesis 3:15: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. How did Eve get a seed? Did Eve conceive a seed on her own or by some supernatural event? Or did God place a seed in her womb? Now examine: Genesis 4:25: And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me ANOTHER SEED instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. God gave Eve another seed. But where did it come from? She received it from the sperm of her husband ADAM. This seed/sperm was born to be Seth who is also a forefather of King David. Page 11

16 The word SEED is also used to represent the nation of Israel (Christ included), examine: Revelation 12:1: And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: The woman here represents the children of Israel. Jeremiah 6:2: I have likened the daughter of Zion (Israel) to a comely and delicate woman. Revelation 12:2-4: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. This is a scriptural allegory. The allegoric woman, who represents the Nation of Israel, will bring forth Christ of the tribe of Judah of the seed/sperm of David to save Israel from their sins. However, to prevent this from coming to pass, Herod, a ruler of Rome, sought to kill Christ at the time of his birth. Matthew 2:13: And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. Revelation 12:17: And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of HER SEED, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Page 12

17 The dragon made war with the remnant of her seed which is the Nation of Israel that keep the testimony of Christ. This again proves that the woman s seed is the Nation of Israel s children as a whole including Christ. Again there is no biblical evidence of a woman bringing forth any seed/sperm without a man putting it inside of her through sexual intercourse. What else did the forefathers know regarding genealogy? Let s read Wisdom of Solomon in the Apocrypha: Wisdom of Solomon 7:1-6: 1 I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth, (Adam) 2 And in my mother s womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, being compacted in blood, OF THE SEED OF MAN, and the pleasure that came with sleep. 3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do. 4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares. (Read Luke 2:7) 5 For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth. 6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out. The scriptures say that he was compacted in blood (the uterus) by the SEED OF MAN. The scripture also says that ALL MEN have one type of entrance into the world. Knowing this, Mary and Joseph will have to prove to Israel that their son was conceived without having sex. Leviticus 15:16: And if any man s seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. The law that Moses taught the children of Israel, states that a man carries the seed/sperm of copulation (sex), not a woman. Genesis. 30:1: And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. Page 13

18 Rachel begged her husband Jacob for children. She knew that she needed his seed (sperm) to become pregnant and thus, proves that a woman does not have seed of her own. Deuteronomy 25:5-6: 5 If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her. 6 And it shall be, that the firstborn which she beareth shall succeed in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel. When a husband dies without having children, the law requires that his brother marry the widow to produce a child in the name of the deceased brother. The brother is required to fulfill this duty of the law because he is next of kin and thus will produce an offspring closest in blood to that of the deceased brother. Clearly, this law proves that a woman does not have her own seed. It also proves that she cannot continue a genealogy or heritage on her own because if she could, then she would not need a man. Some virgin birth believers will attempt to use 1 Chronicles 2:34-35 to say that a child's nationality or genealogy can be determined by the mother. 1 Chronicles 2:34-35: " 34 Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha. 35 And Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant to wife; and she bare him Attai." In 1 Chronicles 2:34-35, an Egyptian servant was married to an Israelite man's daughter and the children they had continued the lineage of Judah. It would appear that the children took on the lineage of their mother since the father was called an EGYPTIAN. This is not the case. It was already proven that one's nationality or race is determined by their father s lineage and never by their mother. This would mean that the "Egyptian" servant was definitely an Israelite since his children were Israelites. This law of servitude is mentioned in Exodus 21:1-6. Why then is the Israelite servant called an Egyptian? This has occurred many Page 14

19 times in the scriptures and it is due to the Israelite's place of citizenship or the translation process of the scriptures into the English language. Three men that were without a doubt Israelites were called Egyptians. Paul (Acts 21:38), Moses (Exodus 2:19) and Christ (Matthew 2:15). Seeing that there were no New Testament writings at the time of the birth of Christ, what would the Israelites know about him to determine if he was the Christ that the prophets wrote about? Luke 24:44: And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. John 1:45: Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. To verify if Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah of Israel, the Jews would have had to check the Old Testament scriptures to ensure that the Christ who was to be born fulfilled ALL of the prophecies written of him by Moses and the prophets. Examine the following list of prophecies the Jews would have had to check to prove the authenticity of Christ: 1. The Israelites knew that a person s nationality, tribe or race is determined by their father and never by the mother according to the Law of Moses. (1 Chronicles 9:1; Numbers 1:18) 2. The Messiah would be of the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:10, Hebrews 7:14) 3. The Messiah would descend from the seed/sperm of Jesse the father of King David. (Isaiah 11:1, 10) 4. The Messiah would descend from the seed/sperm of King David. (2 Samuel 7:13-17; Isaiah 9:6-8; Psalm 132:11; Psalm 89:3-34) 5. Of King David s many sons, only Solomon was CHOSEN to sit upon his father s throne and to carry the seed/sperm that the Messiah would descend from. (1 Chronicles 28:4-7) 6. The woman does not have a seed without becoming pregnant by the sperm of a man. (Leviticus 15:16-18) Page 15

20 7. Christ would be born of a young maiden (virgin). See virgin definitions on page 8. (Isaiah 7:14) 8. Wisdom of Solomon Chapter 7 states that ALL living men and women came into the world by the and that no human being has ever come into the earth any other way. 9. Christ would be a redeemer to Israel to save them from the death of their sins. (Isaiah 9:6-7) 10. The promise given to David states that the Messiah would come into the world by his seed/sperm through Solomon and that God WOULD NOT BREAK OR ALTER this promise. (Psalm 89:3, 34) Now that we understand some of the Old Testament prophecies that helped to validate the Messiah to the Israelites, let s continue onto the New Testament. V. THE GENEALOGY OF CHRIST Matthew 1:1: The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Examine the definition of the word generation: GENERATION je-n - -sh n noun 1. A body of living beings constituting 2. A 3. T : 4. The average span of time between the Since the New Testament writings are centered on the teachings and life of Christ, the first thing Matthew does is establish the genealogy and ancestry of Christ. WHY? This proves that the Jews kept written records of their ancestors and descendants at that time. If Christ the Messiah was born of a woman that had never had sex with a man and still became pregnant, how would the Jews have a record of Christ s ancestors? How would Christ prove his genealogy and lineage to King David? Matthew clearly says that Jesus Christ is the SON OF DAVID, THE SON OF ABRAHAM, showing that Christ is a biological descendant from those Page 16

21 MEN. This could not happen from a virgin birth. According to the definition of generation, Christ descended from the list of men recorded in Matthew 1:1-16. A person s generation or ancestry is determined by their biological forefathers. It would make no sense for Matthew to call the men listed as the generations of Christ if he was not a product of that blood lineage. Matthew 1:2-16: 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas (Judah) and his brethren; 3 And Judas (Judah) begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. In Matthew 1:2-16, Christ s genealogy starts with Abraham (Abraham is the father of the promise), and ends with JOSEPH. Verse 16 states that Jacob begat JOSEPH! A stepfather (which the virgin birth believers claim Joseph to be) would not be in the biological ancestry of their stepchild because they do not share the same genetics. But a real biological father would be in the genetic ancestry! This is why the book of Matthew states that Joseph, who is Mary s husband, is the biological father of Christ. Does Joseph meet the criteria of the Old Testament prophecies according to this genealogy? YES, he does: 1. Is Joseph of the Tribe of Judah? YES. (Matthew 1:2-3) Page 17

22 2. Is Jesse Joseph s ancestor? YES. (Matthew 1:5-6) 3. Is Joseph a descendant of King David? YES. (Luke 2:4; Matthew 1:6) 4. Is JOSEPH A DESCENDANT OF SOLOMON David s chosen Son? YES. (Matthew 1:6-7) 5. Are all the descendants of David in this genealogy of his SEED/Sperm? YES. (Matthew 1:1-16; 2 Samuel 7:12) Matthew 1:16: And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Many people stumble on this scripture because it does not read Joseph begat Jesus. But it is already understood that Joseph begat Jesus because verse 1 stated that this was the lineage of Jesus Christ who was a son (descendant) of Abraham and David. As I stated earlier, we sometimes have to examine the original texts used to translate the scriptures into the English language. Much of the New Testament was originally written in Greek. The Greek minuscule manuscripts, classified as Ferrar Group of Minuscule, translates verse 16 in this fashion: Yacob begat Yoseph, to whom was betrothed Mary the virgin, and BEGOT Iesous who is called Christos. Greek manuscripts coded: o, f 13, I 547m, it, a, b, c, d, g, k, q - all give this similar translation. This includes Ambrosiaster [4th century] and the Syriac Sinaitic version [3rd century]. Luke 2:4: And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) This scripture alone tells us that Joseph is a direct biological descendant of King David without mentioning the other 32 generations of ancestors as in Matthew 1:16. No one ever debates this. Now examine the following scripture: Page 18

23 Mark 10:47: And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, JESUS THOU SON OF DAVID, have mercy on me. Revelation 22:16: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I AM THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID and the bright and morning star. To be the OFFSPRING of anything, you MUST biologically descend from your forefathers who are of the same genetic origin, kin or stock. This scripture alone eliminates Christ being the son of David through adoption by Joseph or a virgin birth. This would also mean that Christ could not inherit the throne of rulership by Joseph s marriage to Mary because it was prophesied that only a blood descendant of David would possess the throne. Why doesn t Christ ever say that he is the offspring of Mary as the virgin birth doctrine teaches? He is MANY TIMES referred to as the son of David because his genealogy shows in Matthew Chapter 1 that he is indeed a biological descendant of David just as his father Joseph was. This is why Joseph is called the son of David. Mary is NEVER called the daughter of David, EVER, nor referred to in the genealogies as a progenitor. Another account that causes some to stumble is the count of generations that are recorded in Matthew 1:17. Matthew 1:17: "So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." The scripture states that there are three time periods resulting in fourteen generations each. However, it appears that the last time period from the carrying away to Babylon unto the time of Christ has only thirteen generations. This happens when you begin your count of the third group of generations with Salathiel in verse 12. If you follow the directions that Matthew describes in verse 17, you will see that there will be fourteen generations in each time group. I will Page 19

24 use the formula that Matthew describes with the generations recorded in Matthew chapter 1:1-17. Matthew 1:17: "So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations: " Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judas, Phares, Esrom, Aram, Aminadab, Naasson, Salmon, Booz, Obed, Jesse, David = 14 Generations. Matthew 1:17: "...and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations;..." David, Solomon, Roboam, Abia, Asa, Josaphat, Joram, Ozias, Joatham, Achaz, Ezekias, Manasses, Amon, Josias = 14 Generations. Matthew 1:11: "And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:" Matthew 1:17: " and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations." Jechonias, Salathiel, Zorobabel, Abiud, Eliakim, Azor, Sadoc, Achim, Eliud, Eleazar, Matthan, Jacob, Joseph, Jesus = 14 Generations. Matthew 1:12: "And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;" Virgin birth believers attempt to include Mary in the genealogy of Christ as though she was the missing generation of the last group. This again is proven to be an error or lack of understanding on their part. Page 20

25 Examine the genealogy in Luke: Luke 3:23-38: 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, 24 Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, 25 Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge, 26 Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda, 27 Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri, 28 Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er, 29 Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, 30 Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim, 31 Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, 32 Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson, 33 Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, 34 Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor, 35 Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala, 36 Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech, 37 Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan, 38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God. Page 21

26 The above is the record of Mary s forefathers. Virgin birth believers don t realize this, but Luke alone destroys the virgin birth doctrine. Let s examine it: Luke 3:23: And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, Virgin birth believers fall victim to this verse because they only focus on the words as was supposed. They erroneously speculate that Joseph was Christ s biological father. Luke tells us that Jesus is the son of Joseph: Matthew 1:16: And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. According to Matthew, Jacob is Joseph s father and not Heli as it is in Luke. Heli is Joseph s father-in-law. Let s examine the definition of the word supposed in the Greek to prove it: nom w nom o, nom-id -zo; from 3551; properl, to o b law (usage), i.e. to a ustom pass el, be usual ; by extension, to deem or regard: suppose, thing, be wont. The word supposed has several meanings, but in particular, it means properly, to do by law. Let s read the scripture again with the definitions inserted. Luke 3:23: And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (properly) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, According to the Hebrew law of genealogy and the prophecies, Luke writes that Joseph is Christ s father. Another aspect to consider is the use of parenthesis () in the English language. Seeing we re reading the scriptures in English, it is important to understand the RULE of the use of parenthesis. Page 22

27 renth - a word, clause, or sentence inserted as an explanation or afterthought into a passage, in writing usually marked off by curved brackets, dashes, or commas. The rule of parenthesis says that the sentence is grammatically correct without the statement inside the parenthesis. Let s see: Luke 3:23: And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed), which was the son of Heli, Luke 3:23: And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being, which was the son of Heli, The understanding is perfectly clear and follows the rest of the scriptures regarding Christ s genealogy. Why is Joseph listed in his father-in-law s genealogy? It is because when a man marries a woman he becomes a part of her family and she becomes a part of his in a legal sense. This is why the term IN LAW is used when referring to the parents of one s spouse. One point that CANNOT be overlooked is the fact that in both Matthew and Luke s genealogical table, Joseph is listed as the FATHER of Jesus while his mother Mary is not listed at all. Why isn t Mary listed in her own genealogy in Luke chapter 3? It is because the woman CANNOT be a progenitor or pass down seed. The genealogies in Luke and Matthew destroy any possibility of a virgin birth. When one attempts to use the genealogy in Luke to say that Mary descends from David thereby fulfilling the prophecy of Christ being of the lineage of David is ridiculous as there are many errors with this way of thinking: a. The ancestry in Luke descends from David s son Nathan and NOT SOLOMON. b. Mary cannot produce seed/sperm to yield offspring without her husband Joseph. That s why she is not mentioned in the genealogy in Luke. c. Luke tells us that Christ is the son of Joseph and not of the direct lineage of his legal grandfathers that he acquired from Joseph s marriage to his mother Mary. This is important to know and understand because many virgin birth believers attempt to use the Page 23

28 curse of Jeconiah (also called Coniah) mentioned in Jeremiah 22:30 to sabotage the genealogy listed in Matthew. I will discuss this shortly. Why does the genealogy in Luke chapter 3 trace back to Adam being the son of God? Actually both genealogies go back to Adam the son of God. Matthew just begins the genealogy with Abraham. Abraham s forefathers still trace back to Adam. The genealogy in Luke is important for the simple fact that since it traces back to David s son Nathan and not Solomon, there is no way anyone from that genealogy could be heir to the throne of David, neither by blood nor adoption, marriage nor inheritance. Accordingly, Luke makes it clear that none other than Joseph could be Christ s father thus making Christ a direct offspring of David s kingly bloodline and heir to the perpetual throne. When you examine the chart of both lineages, you will see that Luke tells us that that the Messiah did not descend from Mary nor any other man of her family, as some may believe, because all the men listed descend from David s son Nathan and NOT Solomon. Page 24

29 There is still no trace of a virgin birth. So far there is only one reference to a virgin that is in Isaiah 7:14 and the meaning of the word virgin does not pertain to a woman that has not had sex (discussed earlier). Let s continue with the New Testament scriptures. Acts 13:22-23: 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of THIS MAN S SEED hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: Romans 15:12: And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Acts 2:30: Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that OF THE FRUIT OF HIS LOINS, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; Luke 1:32: He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of HIS FATHER DAVID: Revelation 22:16: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I AM THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID and the bright and morning star. Hebrews 2:16-17: 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; BUT HE TOOK ON HIM THE SEED OF ABRAHAM. 17 Wherefore IN ALL THINGS it behoved him to BE MADE LIKE UNTO HIS BRETHREN, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. The scripture says that in ALL THINGS Christ was made like his fellow Israelites. This means he was made like them in EVERY WAY. How many Israelites were born Page 25

30 of a virgin birth? NONE. Christ was made from the fruit of David s loins by physical conception. Galatians 4:4-5: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, MADE OF A WOMAN, MADE UNDER THE LAW, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Notice that this verse doesn t use the word virgin to describe Mary. Does this mean that Christ was made of a woman all by herself? No, not at all. It was already mentioned earlier that the LAW states that the man carries the seed and is the progenitor. The woman (Mary) conceived and gave birth to Christ. Genesis 1:21: And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. Numbers 1:18: And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. Still the seed of man is used to describe Christ and gives us no indication of a virgin birth. Matthew 22:41-45: 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? Page 26

31 When Christ asked the Pharisees whose son he was, they replied, the son of David. Even the Pharisees who hated Christ knew his ancestry. Christ then teaches them that he is Lord of David because, in the spirit, Christ existed before David. (John 1:1-5) That is why Christ was able to say this: Revelation 22:16: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Romans 1:3: Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, WHICH WAS MADE OF THE SEED OF DAVID according to the flesh; Christ was conceived by the seed of David, according to the flesh. Meaning, Christ was conceived by the seed of copulation (sex). It is imperative that I stress that Christ could ONLY be a physical blood descendant of David to fulfill this prophecy. The notion that Joseph adopted Christ would NOT fulfill this prophecy. Needless to say, there is no mention in the scriptures that Joseph was not the father of Christ nor that any adoption took place. John 7:38-43: 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. 41 Others said, this is the Christ. But some said, shall Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of THE SEED OF DAVID, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? 43 So there was a division among the people because of him. Here is a dispute about the authenticity of Christ. We see that they reference the Old Testament to know that he would be of the lineage of David and would be born in the city of Bethlehem. However, there is no mention of a virgin birth in this debate. Why isn t Isaiah 7:14 quoted? If a virgin becoming pregnant without having had sexual intercourse (which goes against nature and scriptural law) was Page 27

32 supposed to be a sure sign of the true Christ, why is there no mention of this special event by anyone, not even by Christ? John 6:41-42: 41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, THE SON OF JOSEPH, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? Christ says, he came from heaven, but not a single person refers to him being born of a virgin to support his claim. Instead, the people use common sense to know that Joseph was his father and Mary was his mother so how could he come from heaven? It is evident that during the time of Christ the people had no knowledge of a virgin birth doctrine for two reasons: 1. When Christ said that, he came down from heaven, the people would have understood that he was born of God directly through Mary. 2. A virgin birth was not a qualifying factor in determining who the Messiah was. If so, this would have been heavily debated and surely the Jews would have required some sort of proof to support such a claim. Matthew 13:54-56: 54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55 Is not this THE CARPENTERS SON? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? Again, what the Jews were wondering about was how Christ received his great wisdom and how he performed the miracles they witnessed, not about a virgin birth. They knew he had ordinary parents and an ordinary family like everyone else. No one stopped to say aha he has this power because he was born of the holy spirit by a virgin birth! In the aforementioned scriptures, notice how the people always considered Joseph as Christ s father. How could Joseph and Mary prove to the Jews that Christ was born without them having sex? Neither in the Page 28

33 Old Testament nor in the New Testament are there any scriptures that clearly indicate that a virgin birth took place. However, I listed over two dozen scriptures that say Christ will come of the seed of David, through his son Solomon, who clearly Joseph and Christ both descend from according to biblical prophecies and genealogical records. Luke 4:21-22: 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 22 And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph s son? Once again, Joseph is the father and there is still no mention or proof of a virgin birth. Christ is frequently linked to David and Joseph, and rarely linked to Mary. John 1:45: Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE SON OF JOSEPH. Phillip knew the prophecies of Christ and does not say the son of Mary, but does, however, declare Joseph as his father. Revelation 1:13: And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. Now, Christ is called the son of man. Not the son of woman or the son of the virgin. He is called the son of man because he is the descendant of men named Joseph and David. The prophecy and genealogy should now be very clear to understand, thus proving that Joseph is the biological father of Christ according to scriptures. So in short, Christ s spirit came from God and Christ s body came from the seed of Joseph. Page 29

34 VI. THE ACCOUNTS OF JOSEPH AND MARY Luke 1:26-27: 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID; and the virgin s name was Mary. In Luke 1:27, we see the use of the word virgin. Again, keep in mind that the word virgin has more than one meaning. In this scripture, the word virgin denotes Mary was a virgin woman that had NOT YET had sex and was engaged to Joseph. This scripture also drives home the fact that Joseph was in fact a descendant of David. Luke 1:28-30: 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. Mary was chosen among women to be the mother of the Messiah. Since a mother is first to nourish a child and is the child s first teacher, the Angel is revealing to Mary the motherly task of raising such a special child. Luke 1:31-33: 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne OF HIS FATHER DAVID: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Notice the Angel says THOU CONCEIVE IN THY WOMB, letting us know that Mary WAS NOT pregnant while the Angel was speaking with her. AGAIN, the angel tells Mary about the child that WILL BE conceived in her and how Page 30

35 the child will be a descendent of King DAVID and will rule forever according to the prophecies that were listed earlier. Luke 1:34: Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? Clearly, Mary knows that sex is necessary to conceive and raise up the seed which comes from a man. She acknowledges that she has not had sex with any man at this point. Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Spirits don t have sex, so the spirit cannot impregnate Mary. What this means is that the spirit of the Lord will be upon her to do the will of God. Examine: Judges 14:19: And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father s house. When the spirit of the Lord comes upon someone, they are made to fulfill the will of God. Christ is called the Son of God because he was with God in the spirit since the beginning. John 17:5: And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. However, mortal men are also called the Sons of God. Page 31

36 1 John 3:1: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that WE should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Luke 1:36-38: 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Mary tells the Angel that she is willing to comply with all of the instructions of God. After the Angel departed from Mary, Mary was still not pregnant yet. How do we know this? Luke 2:21: And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. The scripture says all of the words of the angel was spoken to Mary BEFORE CHRIST WAS CONCEIVED IN HER WOMB. When we get to Matthew 1:18, we see that Mary is NOW pregnant. What happened from the time the angel spoke to Mary up to this point? All of the Old Testament genealogy prophecies and New Testament scriptures fit perfectly with Joseph being the biological father and do not support Mary conceiving a child without having sex. Matthew 1:18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. We see that Joseph and Mary were engaged and before they came together Mary was already pregnant. Many think that the phrase before they came together means before they had sex, which then causes them to erroneously believe that Page 32

37 when Mary was found with child, that it was by the holy spirit. Meaning, that the spirit got Mary pregnant or she conceived by some supernatural means. This is not the case. The phrase came together is found many times in the scriptures and not once does it refer to having sexual relations. Here are a few examples: Luke 22:66: And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, Luke 5:15: But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. Acts 15:6: And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. It is clear to see that the phrase came together means to assemble or gather together for some occasion. In Hebrew custom, when the betrothal (engagement) time is fulfilled for a man and woman that are to be married, the husband, wife, family and friends will come together for a feast or wedding. At this feast the bride and groom go into a chamber or tent to consummate their marriage by having sexual intercourse. Examine: Genesis 29:19-22: 19 And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me. 20 And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. 21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. 22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. Sometimes marriages were consummated without a wedding. Page 33

38 Genesis. 24:67: And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother s death. The orderly way of a marriage is for the husband to go to the woman s father for permission. Sometimes this was not always done in Israel. If not, the man and woman would suffer the consequences of dealing with the woman s father. Exodus 22:16-17: 16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. The scripture above shows an instance when there was no wedding or permission from the woman s father. However, since they already had consensual sex, the law commands that the man must go to the woman s father and pay whatever dowry the father requires and the woman MUST be his wife. Failure to take the woman as his wife would then become fornication. Sex consummates a marriage, so there is no premarital sex. Matthew 1:19: Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. Joseph was a just (righteous) man. If Joseph did not have sex with Mary, he would know for a fact that Mary was an adulterous woman, who was pregnant by another man. So what on earth would Joseph be contemplating about? Whether or not he was going to keep his adulterous wife to be who is pregnant by someone else? Let s read the law: Numbers 5:13: And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and Page 34

39 there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner A woman that has had sex with a man other than her own husband is considered DEFILED and the husband should not take her. And if there are no witnesses against her, the spirit of jealousy would come upon the man and he would take his wife to the priest to perform a thorough investigation. Matthew 1:19: Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. Some think that the phrase put her away means Joseph wanted to divorce Mary. This is NOT true when you read it in the correct context. If Joseph never had sex with Mary and he discovered that she was pregnant, how would divorcing her privately save her from being a public example? Mary would eventually grow more pregnant and, without a husband, would definitely prove her to be an adulteress or make appear Joseph to be an absentee father. How could Joseph divorce her privately when everyone knew they were engaged? Wouldn t people question why the marriage wasn t going forward? Anyway, how could Joseph divorce Mary if they hadn t even been married yet? It makes absolutely no sense. The truth is, according to the prophecies and genealogy, Joseph had sex with Mary before their wedding feast date. Joseph was nervous about what had happened knowing he had to explain this to Mary s family which would undoubtedly cause the family to be embarrassed and make Mary a public example. This happened because God said that the spirit will overshadow them. Examine another account of how the spirit of God will overshadow someone to fulfill his will. Judges 14:1-4: 1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. 3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her Page 35

40 for me; for she pleaseth me well. 4 But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. Judges 14:1-4 is a prime example of how the spirit overshadows a situation. Samson asked his parents to get him a wife from among the Philistines who had dominion over Israel at that time. Samson s parents were strongly against his request and pled that he find an Israelite woman to marry as was in accordance with Israelite Law. However, God placed this thought strongly upon Samson so he would marry a Philistine woman and infiltrate the Philistines to deliver Israel from their dominion. Samson s parents did not know it was God who was overshadowing their instructions and causing Samson to marry the woman, thereby fulfilling God s will to save Israel from the Philistines. The same situation happened with Joseph and Mary where the spirit overshadowed them and caused them to be intimate despite their betrothal arrangement. This is why Joseph was worried. Joseph thought that if he put her away privately meaning, they moved somewhere else and had the child, he could save Mary from any possible ridicule in that city. I find it interesting that there is a text called The Gospel of the Holy Twelve. This text was originally written in Aramaic (a language the Jews also spoke) during the early stages of the Christian Church. Please note that I am not in any way endorsing this text as scripture. I am merely using it as a historical reference to prove that this text and others similar to it existed in the 2 nd and 3 rd century AD that corroborate with the scriptures about Joseph being the biological father of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of the Holy Twelve translates the account written in Luke chapter 1:27-37 to be the following: Chapter 2 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God, unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Ioseph, of the house of David; and the virgin s name was Mary And the angel came in unto her and said, Hail, Mary, thou that art highly favoured, for the Motherhood of God is with thee: blessed art thou Page 36

41 among women and blessed be the fruit of thy womb And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary, for thou has found favour with God and, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a child, and He shall be great and shalt be called a Son of the Highest Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon Ioseph thy Spouse, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, O Mary, therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called Iesu- Maria, for he shall save the people from their sins, whosoever shall repent and obey his Law. Therefore ye shall eat no flesh, nor drink strong drink, for the child shall be consecrated unto God from its mother s womb, and neither flesh nor strong drink shall he take, nor shall razor touch his head And in the same day the angel Gabriel appeared unto Ioseph in a dream and said unto him, Hail, Ioseph, thou that art highly favoured, for the Fatherhood of God is with thee. Blessed art thou among men and blessed be the fruit of thy loins Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was written in the prophets saying, Behold a Maiden shall conceive and be with child and shall bring forth a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God within us. Then Ioseph being raised from sleep did as the angel had bidden him, and went in unto Mary, his espoused bride, and she conceived in her womb the holy One This document clearly demonstrates how the spirit came over Joseph to lay with his wife causing her to conceive. Matthew 1:20: But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. Page 37

42 As Joseph meditated, the Angel told him to take his WIFE and not to fear anything. This act of Joseph and Mary was not sin because they were already engaged. It is Israelite custom to have a wedding feast, but it is not LAW as I stated earlier. Again, the Angel reminds us that Joseph is the descendant of David, so we know for a fact that Joseph is the father of the child. Some may ask, what does it mean to say, that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost? Isaiah 11:2: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; It simply means that Christ will be filled with the Holy Ghost (spirit) that was given to him by God. Matthew 1:21-23: 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Remember, I talked about this prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 earlier and gave the understanding of the word virgin from various sources. But for argument sake, I will also show you that the word virgin still cannot be used to establish a virgin birth doctrine. Look at it from this perspective. The scripture says a virgin shall conceive. Was Mary a virgin? Yes. Do virgins have sex? Yes ONCE. Examine these statements: My wife was a virgin when we consummated our marriage and she conceived. Joseph had sex with and she conceived! According to Isaiah 7:14, a virgin did conceive and had a son whose name was Christ. The word virgin will never negate the full understanding of this scenario nor will it prove that a virgin birth took place. Page 38

43 Matthew 1:24-25: 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. This scripture also confuses many because based on what I have covered, virgin birth believers would think the scripture should say and he knew her not again. There s no need for the word again because with all of the other scriptures already used, it is easy to see that Joseph and Mary had sex and conceived Christ. Afterwards Joseph and Mary did not have sex again until after Christ was born. In my own careful examination of Matthew 1:25, it appears that Joseph did not have sex with Mary during her pregnancy to show that he had no necessity to fulfill his sexual desires and that his intimacy with Mary was of the Holy Spirit to bring forth Christ at the set prophesied time and not because of a lustful act to satisfy the flesh. This is not a strange thing on Joseph s part because there were other Jews which were called Essenes that would not have sex with their wives during the entire duration of the pregnancy. Below is a reference taken from the book, The Works of Flavius Josephus: Book 2, Chapter 8, Paragraph 13: However, they try their spouses for three years; and if they find that they have their natural purgation thrice, as trials that they are likely to be fruitful, they then actually marry them.. Now the women go into the baths with some of their garments on, as the men do with somewhat girded about them. And these are the customs of this order of Essenes. Essene was the name given to Jews that lived in the first century AD that were highly devout in the laws of God. They maintained righteousness and had a good report of character among the people. Joseph s behavior would fall in line with that of the Essenes for the fact that he was a just man and that he would not have sex with Mary during her pregnancy, even after the Angel told Joseph to not be afraid and take her. A man having sex with his wife while she is pregnant is not a Page 39

44 sin. However, since the Essenes viewed sex as solely a means to reproduce and not for sexual fulfillment, Joseph and Mary did not have sex again until after Jesus was born. Afterwards, they would be intimate again to bring forth their other children seeing Christ was called Mary s FIRSTBORN son. Why is there no mention of Joseph and Mary consummating their marriage? It was already consummated when they conceived Christ. I must also mention that the Essenes along with the Ebionites and Nazerenes were among the first of many groups to be persecuted for their belief in God and Christ. All three groups recognize Joseph as the biological father of Jesus Christ and refused and refuted the virgin birth heresy in the 2 nd and 3 rd century AD. THE Because the scriptures say that the Messiah will descend from David through Solomon, some virgin birth believers attempt to use the curse of Jeconiah to terminate the genealogy of Christ listed in Matthew Chapter 1. Jeremiah 22:28-30: 28 Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not? 29 O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD. 30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah. As a punishment for Jeconiah s (Coniah is of the lineage of David through King Solomon) wickedness, it was said that none of his seed shall sit upon the throne or rule in Israel anymore. This meant that Jeconiah would be the last king to rule over Israel as a kingdom because the kings of Judah ceased from ruling when they were taken into captivity in Babylon. Virgin birth believers say, if Christ was of this lineage, he couldn t have been a king because of the curse. This is why a virgin birth seems more suitable to this dilemma. In Jeremiah 22:30, where it says, write ye this man childless some assume Jeconiah did not have any more children to sit on the throne after him. The genealogy of David makes it clear that Jeconiah had several generations of sons after him. Page 40

45 1 Chronicles 3:17-18: 17 And the sons of Jeconiah; Assir, Salathiel his son, 18 Malchiram also, and Pedaiah, and Shenazar, Jecamiah, Hoshama, and Nedabiah. However, as it was prophesied, only Christ will be the next king of this lineage. They also attempt to use the genealogy in Luke Chapter 3 (Mary s lineage) as a solution to the curse. But the scriptures say that the Most High will not change or alter the promise made to David and Solomon, so even that understanding is erroneous. The curse of Jeconiah does nothing to alter the fact that Christ will be king of Israel through the seed of David and Solomon. The following prophecy gives the understanding of how the curse of Jeconiah would be repaired and of how the throne would be restored back to the SEED of David. Hosea 3:4-5: 4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: 5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. John 18:36: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Isaiah 16:5: And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness. Amos 9:11: In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old: Hosea prophesied that Israel would be without a king for a period of time. The kings of Judah and the Northern Kingdom of Israel lost their thrones. Meaning, the prophecy of Jeconiah was only temporary until the restoration of the kingdom Page 41

46 of Israel under Christ. In John 18:36, Christ said, My kingdom is not of this world to show us that he did not yet take his position as king while he was on earth. We also see that the throne of David will be restored and Christ will sit on the throne at his second coming. In Amos 9:11, we see that all the breeches of rulership of the seed of David will be repaired. A restoration will not be needed if the kingly inheritance was simply transferred to David s son Nathan and his descendants. Since there is not a scripture that verifies that the kingly lineage was changed, it obviously did not happen. If Solomon's seed was cursed to the point that his seed would no longer rule, then this would make God a liar. God promised that Solomon would rule and that the KING OF ALL KINGS (Christ) would come through his lineage. Numbers 23:19: "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" 1 Kings 2:24: Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father, and who hath made me an house, as he promised, Adonijah shall be put to death this day. Adonijah was also a son of David that thought he would be heir to the throne at the time of David's death. He was sadly mistaken as it cost him his life. It has been already established that DAVID'S seed through his son Solomon will FOREVER inherit the throne of rulership. This promise and bloodline of rulership was never transferred to Nathan nor any other son of David. 1 Kings 2:45: And king Solomon shall be blessed, and the throne of David shall be established before the LORD for ever. It is prophesied that Solomon will be blessed and his throne would be established forever. Apparently, the judgment of Jeconiah did not affect the prophecies. Page 42

47 Some also erroneously use Zechariah 12:12 to justify that David's royal line through Solomon will be cut off and David's son Nathan will be the new predecessor of the Kings of Israel. Zechariah 12:12: "And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;" Virgin birth believers say "why is Nathan mentioned in the verse and not Solomon?" as a means to erroneously establish that Nathan's lineage is now recognized as the ROYAL lineage. Wrong again! Let's examine the following scripture in its correct context: Zechariah 12:11-14: 11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. 12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; 13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; 14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart. Zechariah refers to the destruction of Jerusalem in which all families will suffer. All of the house of David, from his royal lineage even unto the families of the rest of his children like Nathan, would suffer and mourn because of the affliction. We must look at verse 13 because the same is said of the house of Levi. Shimei is not a son of Kohath, who is a father of Aaron, from which descend ALL of the HIGH PRIESTS. Does this mean that the chosen lineage of high priests has been changed to the lineage of Shimei since his name is mentioned in the exact context as Nathan's? NO. It simply shows that all of the house of Levi from the high priest's lineage to the rest of his children will mourn. Verse 14 lets us know that ALL Israel will mourn for the destruction that will come from their enemies. There is no scriptural indication that the kingly line was transferred to Nathan neither was the high priest's office transferred to Shimei. Page 43

48 VIII. CHRIST HAD TO BE BORN OF A VIRGIN BECAUSE HE DID NOT SIN Another false statement said by virgin birth believers. They do not consider the fact that Christ was the only man that was without sin. Mary was considered a righteous woman, but according to the scriptures she was not sinless. Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 1 John 1:10: If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. Romans 8:3: For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Aside from Christ, everyone has committed sin of some sort. Mary was a virtuous and an upright woman, but, like all others, she was not sinless. Mary was chosen to be the mother of a great man of God just like the righteous women before her such as Sarah, the mother of Isaac, Jochebed, the mother of Moses, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist to name a few. The exalting of Mary came later by way of the Catholic Church. Virgin birth doctrine teaches that Christ had to be born of a woman that was a virgin (had not had sex) because her virginity would make her pure and keep her child pure from sin. This is absolutely erroneous because abstaining from sex does not make one abstain from sin. If the seed of an imperfect man would corrupt Christ s perfect and holy nature, how would this holy and perfect nature not be corrupted being born of an imperfect woman? We must understand that all children are sinless to begin with. Sin and obedience is learned from his parents as the child grows. Examine: Ezekiel 18:19-20: 19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he Page 44

49 shall surely live. 20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Ezekiel plainly shows us that a child will not naturally inherit the sinful nature of his biological parents. Every living man or woman is given the choice from birth to be righteousness or to be sinful. Even if Joseph and Mary were sinful people, this would not blemish Christ if he desired to be righteous and love God. So a virgin birth is not at all necessary for Christ to possess a divine and righteous nature. Even today we were commanded by Christ to strive for perfection: Matthew 5:48: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Genesis 6:9: These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Job 1:1: There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. If Christ being born of a virgin is instrumental to him being perfect, the above scriptures would be meaningless as it would be impossible to live in righteousness as he did. Luke 2:40: And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him. Like all of us, Christ grew and became stronger in spirit and in his relationship with God. He faced temptations and felt afflictions just as we do. His strength and nature was not automatically installed, but developed in a process of time. Page 45

50 IX. NO VIRGIN BIRTH PROOF If the virgin birth was such a spectacular event, that proves that Christ was the Son of God, why is there not one single scripture that plainly says Christ was born of a woman that had never had sex leaving no assumptions to be made? Why don t the chief apostles Peter and Paul ever make mention of a virgin birth? I find it odd that there are many scriptures that speak CLEARLY of Christ s spectacular resurrection from the dead, but not one of an unordinary birth. Acts 1:22: Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. Romans 10:9: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Why is there no mention of witnesses to Christ s virgin birth among his believers? Why is there no scripture that states that we must believe in a virgin birth to be saved? Examine: Matthew 27:64: Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Matthew 28:5-6: 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. John 20:25: The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. Page 46

51 The above scriptures are just a few examples of how the people DEMANDED proof that Christ did in fact rise from the dead. Even his Apostles wanted proof when they saw him three days after they witnessed his death with their own eyes. Because one rising from the dead was impossible, it was hard to believe without some type of proof. On the other hand, it must have been considered normal in Jerusalem for virgin women, who never had sex, to give birth, since there was not one single demand of proof or inquisition made by the people to verify Christ s authenticity as the Messiah born by a virgin birth. The only argument presented against Christ s authenticity is the city he was to be born in (John 7:40-43). The truth is, there was no virgin birth, so there was no questioning of the event. The Pharisees would have definitely sought proof of a virgin birth. However, they did not believe that Christ was the Messiah until they saw the miracles that he performed when he was grown. John 3:1-2: 1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. How could Mary and Joseph prove that their child was conceived without them having sex? They could not. Examine: Luke 2:46-50: 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. Why would Mary and Joseph be so amazed by Christ s intellectual ability if they knew that he was conceived by God by way of a supernatural virgin birth? Why Page 47

52 didn t they understand what he meant by his father s business? If Joseph was not his father, they both should have known that Christ was referring to God. But yet again, there is no mention of a virgin birth anywhere. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus had access to the records of the events of the Jews during the 1 st century AD and this is what he records:, Book 18, Chapter 3, Paragraph 3: Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ, Book 20, Chapter 9, Paragraph 1: When, therefore, Ananus was of this disposition, he thought he had now a proper opportunity [to exercise his authority]. Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the Sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned; Notice that in the reference, Josephus said, if it be lawful to call him a man it is because of the level of righteousness and compassion that Christ had for his people. He did many great wonders that the Bible documents. Out of all the great wonders and miracles that Christ performed, his being born of a virgin was never once listed among those wonders, not even in the writings of Josephus. The power that Christ had to perform miracles was not due to a virgin birth, but rather was due to the spirit of God. The same power was given to his Apostles: Page 48

53 Mark 6:7: And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; Mark 16:17-18: 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. X. THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Virgin birth believers will say, Christ is called the only begotten son of God because the spirit of God himself caused Mary to conceive and become pregnant. This theory is yet another lie. 1 Samuel 2:6: The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. Clearly, the spirit of every living thing is given and taken by God. As I said earlier, the Holy Spirit that was upon Christ was given by God, but the physical body came from the seed of David by Joseph. Since all men are spiritually begotten of God how can Christ be the Only Begotten Son? Examine: Page 49

54 Hebrews 1:5: For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? In the above verse, Paul is referencing Psalms 2:7. Seeing this was said about Christ centuries before he was born to Joseph and Mary, what could the phrase the only begotten mean when referring to Christ? Let s examine again: 1 Peter 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead We as believers are also begotten of God. Therefore Christ cannot be the ONLY begotten of the Father. Let s get more understanding: 1 Chronicles 1:28: The sons of Abraham; Isaac, and Ishmael. Genesis 22:2: And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. Abraham was told by God to sacrifice Isaac upon the altar as a demonstration of his faithfulness. Notice that 1 Chronicles 1:28 states that Abraham had two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. Genesis 22:2 states that Isaac is Abraham s only son. This is important to consider because Ishmael was Abraham s firstborn son and was alive during the life of Isaac. Why is Isaac called Abraham s only son when it is a fact that Abraham had another son? It is because, in this context, the term only begotten does not mean the only one it is more of a TITLE to mean the only one CHOSEN for a specific purpose. Page 50

55 Hebrews 11:17: By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Genesis 25:1-2: 1 Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. 2 And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. These scriptures show that the phrase only begotten son is used by God when referring to Isaac. However, we see that Abraham had many other children. The phrase only begotten son is applied to Isaac because he is the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON of Abraham that was CHOSEN to carry out a special purpose from God. Isaac would be the ONLY son of Abraham s children to receive the promise of God. Genesis 17:21: But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. Romans 9:8: That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Isaac was set apart from Abraham s other children because he was the chosen of God. Abraham s other offspring are considered children of Abraham s flesh. But Isaac is the child of the spirit (promise) just as Christ is the only begotten son to die and restore repentance and salvation to Israel. Acts 5:30: 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Page 51

56 Acts 4:10-12: : 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 1 John 4:9: In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. By God s choice, Christ is the only son that can restore us back to the Heavenly Father. The phrase only begotten son has nothing whatsoever to do with a virgin birth doctrine. It simply implies that Christ is the only son begotten of God to fulfill the scriptural prophecies of redemption written of him. Christ is also the only king that will rule forever. XI. ORIGIN OF THE VIRGIN MARY DOCTRINE Throughout the scriptures, we never see Mary, the mother of Christ, being venerated. The virgin birth doctrine comes attached to the worshipping of female deities. In the 1 st century AD, the Roman s most popular deity was Diana, also called Artemis by the Greeks. Page 52

57 Diana, a Roman deity Acts 19:27: So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. Towards the end of the 1 st century AD, the true Christian church, established by Christ and afterwards continued by the apostles, was being persecuted and weakened by the influence of Rome. False teachings began to enter into the church, particularly the worshipping of Diana (idolatry). Diana (Artemis) was a Greek goddess that represented virginity. She was made to be the virgin of Zeus, the greatest of Greek gods. The Greeks borrowed this myth from the Egyptians and the Babylonians. Page 53

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59 We must understand that at this time, the scriptures were only taught in the churches by the church leaders. The public had very little access to the scriptures. Many doctrines began to form around these myths and entered into the now universal Christian church known as the Catholic Church. In the 2 nd century AD, Justin Martyr in particular embraced and publicly taught the virgin birth heresy (among others) in the regions of Asia Minor. He received resistance from the Jews but still persuaded many. At this point, Mary was beginning to be exalted as the Christian replica of the Roman goddess Diana. The story of Christ s birth was blatantly misconstrued by the Catholic Church in order to magnify and promote Mary as the female Christian version of Diana, Semiramis, and Isis. The virgin birth lie gave way for many other lies and biblical misconstructions to be taught like Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. The lie also made it easy to introduce and accept the Roman pagan festival Saturnalia. This festival was infused into the Church to accompany the virgin birth lie. This winter festival possessed rites of idolatry in which evergreen trees were taken and decorated with silver and gold to acknowledge their gods. Gifts, food and drink offerings were placed under these trees as offerings to these gods. To allure the Christians, this festival was later called Christmas and was believed to commemorate Christ s birth. This caused many to partake of this pagan festival. However, the Bible does not support this winter festival, and even condemns it (Jeremiah 10:1-5). Easter was another pagan festival installed around the virgin birth lie. The virgin birth heresy was emphatically taught so that the Romans and Greeks would accept the new version of Christianity now called Catholicism. The truth of the birth of Christ found within the scriptures was taught in such an ill fashion that it was made to sound like the pagan myths that were before it. This continued until the story of Christ s birth was the same as their Roman and Greek pagan myths. Mary was later called Madonna by the Catholic Church. She was glorified and worshipped by her followers, just as she is unto this day. During the 3 rd century AD, the Essenes, Nazerenes and the Ebionites, names given to the original followers of God and Jesus Christ, battled continuously against the heresies taught by the Catholic Church. Although these three groups may differ slightly in their customs, they all believed that Joseph was the biological father of Christ. They also believed that Christ was a natural human being and was not of an angelic nature until he was resurrected. They [Ebionites] denied the Virgin Birth and held that Christ s divinity depended on His union with the Holy Page 55

60 Spirit at the time of His baptism [The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, p. 184]. They [Ebionites] say that Jesus was begotten of human seed, and chosen, and thus called by election Son of God, Christ having come upon him from on high in the form of a dove. [Epiphanius, Panarion XXX, 16]. They [Ebionites] saw Jesus as a prophet, an exceptional man in the line of Jewish prophets [as described in Deuteronomy 18:15] and denied the virgin birth. th CE: The heresy of the Ebionites as it is called, asserts that Christ was born of Joseph and Mary, and supposes him to be a mere man. As the true teachings of God became corrupted by the Catholic Church, any form of truth that remained that did not agree with Catholic doctrine was called heresy. The Ebionites and Nazerenes disputed the Virgin Mary concept that the Catholic Church conjured up. These arguments led to the Catholic Church creating more heresies. They began to teach that Mary was a perpetual virgin even after giving birth to Christ. In the 3 rd CE, Father Ambrose wrote a whole treatise defending the perpetual virginity of Mary. In 392 CE, Pope Siricius declared that Mary was forever a virgin. Clearly, this is a lie because Christ was Mary s first born son and because Christ had brothers and sisters (Mark 6:3). In 325 AD, the emperor Constantine organized the first Council of Nicaea. This council was held to discuss various topics regarding the scriptures. In particular, the divinity of Christ and his relation to God (also called Arianism). These councils endorsed such heresies as the virgin birth, the Trinity, Easter and the changing of the Sabbath day from Saturday to Sunday and made it mandatory that all Christians be taught these heresies. Idol worship became prominent in the church also. Because of the virgin birth heresy, many regard the bible as a plagiarism of Egyptian, Babylonian and Greek mythology when in fact no such virgin birth or Page 56

61 worshipping of the mother of Christ took place within the scriptures. The following images show the resemblance of the Egyptian God Isis with her son Horus (image on left) in comparison with the Renaissance artwork portraying Mary with her son Christ in the same fashion (image on right) and on cover. The image of the socalled Virgin Mary and various others like it were created to mimic the Egyptian, Greek and Roman deities that surround the virgin birth myths of each culture. During the Renaissance, even more images were created and made popular by making the characters of the artwork to look Caucasian. Romans 1:25: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Page 57